1
as in occultism
the power to control natural forces through supernatural means
… an alchemy that changed metals rarer than gold into elements more baneful than lead.—
James Gleick
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2
as in magic
the power to do something impressive in a way that seems mysterious or supernatural
They marveled at the digital alchemy that turns lines of computer code into a beautiful user interface.
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Recent Examples of alchemy
The Lees’ kitchen performs some kind of alchemy that transmogrifies straightforward ingredients like cabbage into minor miracles.
—Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 12 Mar. 2026
But the quiet alchemy of performance can be just as impressive.
—Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 11 Mar. 2026
Something about her energy was really like the alchemy of me meeting her for this movie, and what this character is going through.
—Outside, 10 Mar. 2026
That alchemy is the sweet spot of our show.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alchemy
Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 12 Mar. 2026
But the quiet alchemy of performance can be just as impressive.
—Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 11 Mar. 2026
Something about her energy was really like the alchemy of me meeting her for this movie, and what this character is going through.
—Outside, 10 Mar. 2026
That alchemy is the sweet spot of our show.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alchemy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alchemy
Noun
-
In one example, some teachers are let into the fictional realm of Agartha, which is a key setting in neo-Nazi occultism where everyone is white and blond.—
Owen Carry,
Wired News,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The transformation of Tarocchi into a divinatory tool began in the late 18th century, driven by the rise of occultism in France.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Use your latent magic to shift your public persona as the moon and Pluto harmonize.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 2026
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Kish won’t use magic during sermons.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Watch On Longing for the colorful tumbling force of fantastic '80s-era sci-fi sword-and-sorcery flicks that dominated multiplexes and mom-and-pop video rental shops in the Reagan years?—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
2 Apr. 2026
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The sword-and-sorcery title grossed over $68M worldwide, coming to be appreciated as a cult classic, and spawned the sequel Conan the Destroyer (1984).—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Now, though, with the widespread circulation of magic manuals, grimoires, and related compendia—with the recording, on paper, of words, spells, histories, stories—witchcraft has taken an irreversible step into the exoteric realm.—
Kristen Roupenian,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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Johnson did, reportedly, resort to witchcraft—a protection spell over the restaurant, and a curse on Aghajanian.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Doncic showcased his offensive wizardry, joining Kobe Bryant, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West as the only players in Lakers history to record at least 40 points in a season 10 times.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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His wizardry was displayed Sunday in fastidious massaging of volumes, sonorities and interplays, always with an undercurrent of urgency.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alchemy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alchemy. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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